Tracks we just really dig

August 03, 2007|By Fauzia Arain and Kevin Pang

We know, we know ... if you're going to Lollapalooza, you already have a pretty good idea of what you're going to hear. But maybe you don't, and you need a mix tape for your portable device to get you in the mood, or fill in some of those sonic gaps.

But to make a single mix tape that somehow represents the 132 acts at Lollapalooza is an exercise in futility, so here are 12 tracks from as many bands, that we just really, really dig.

M.I.A.

"Pull Up the People"

Arular (XL)

This Sri Lankan-Brit beauty boasts a great knack for bombastic tunes and thick beats perfect for a sunny, sizzling fest set. A master at melding political themes, ethnic influences and gobs of sassy pop appeal, this track showcases her ability to fold hip-hop, electro and dancehall into one bumpin' track.

The Rapture

"The Sound"

"Pieces of the People We Love" (Universal)

Things are bound to get a little bit athletic over at the PlayStation stage for the set by this quartet of raucous indie-rockers, thanks to its knack for instigating a dance-rock party both onstage and in the audience. Plus they have a cowbell and they're not afraid to use it.

The 1900s

"Whole of the Law"

"Plume Delivery" EP (Parasol)

The name of this Chicago group suggests a throwback to another time and another place, but more apropos of this track might be "The 1968s," a time when The Byrds or Love shimmered with lush harmonies and wispy Fender Rhodes notes floated through the ether.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

"Rockers to Swallow"

"Is Is" EP (Interscope)

Karen O, Nick Zinner and Brian Chase revisit their vibrant avant-punk roots on this new EP, recalling some alluring, grittier moments from their first self-titled EP, but also looking forward with some ambient space-rock noise.

Blonde Redhead

"Publisher"

"23" (4AD)

Managing to deliver delicacy and power all at once, the experimental dream-pop of this New York-based trio should float over the fest crowd like a sweet, majestic, silvery breeze.

The Polyphonic Spree

"Lithium"

"Wait" EP (Good Records Recordings)

For a song about bipolar disorder, there's something bipolar about two dozen revival choir members singing a Nirvana cover with unadulterated glee. Just made to be an audience sing-a-long.

I'm From Barcelona

"This Boy"

"Let Me Introduce My Friends" (EMI)

They're Swedish, not Spanish (nor Catalan), but we won't hold that inaccuracy against the group. This chamber-pop collective, led by Emanuel Lundgren, has twenty-some members, which should make for a colorful crowd of talent onstage. Although this track features Loney, Dear, it's unlikely the Swedish singer will make it to Lolla.

Rhymefest

"Devil's Pie"

"Blue Collar" (J Records)

Rhymefest, the Ralph Kramden-working stiff of Chicago's hip-hop scene, apparently once asked Kanye West to help pay for his gas bill. And now, over the stuttering guitar samples of The Strokes' "Someday," you know how the rest goes.

Daft Punk

"Robot Rock"

"Human After All" (Virgin)

A lot of the dance-rock bands on this year's Lolla bill have this French duo to thank for blazing a techno trail. Since the early '90s, Daft Punk has churned out a consistently sick electro-house output. We salute the organizers for the idea to close out day one of the fest with an international dance party.

Smoosh

"This Modern Love"

Streaming on Smoosh.com (Barsuk)

Forget that this Seattle-by-way-of-Chicago duo can't technically watch an R-rated movie. Recognize what a monster 13-year-old drummer Chloe is on this Bloc Party cover, banging the heck out of her trap set with Kalashnikov-like ferocity.

Modest Mouse

"Florida"

"We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank" (Epic)

Quirky as Talking Heads, dense as London fog, the best track from Modest Mouse's best album jangles with sunny disaffection. Who can't relate to falling out of grace with our 27th state?

Tapes 'n Tapes

"Insistor"

"The Loon" (XL)

You can finally stop asking what Minnesota's ever done for you. This fun, hard-touring quartet sips from jaunty classic rock and quirky, volatile indie rock, serving up heaps of catchy, energetic, creative fare, and that just on the debut album.